Last Saturday was glorious. No one doubts that. The media attention will bring an additional pressure. But it’s a welcome pressure. Better have that pressure than have the pressure that negativity brings. The freshness and the positivity of the hurling was, for me, the most pleasing.

Limerick will be a step up in standard and it will be interesting to see how Offaly cope. Limerick certainly are forearmed now. But that’s okay. That’s hurling. Still, you'd like to see Offaly break the habit of old by adding consistency to their armour.

Limerick will have had quite a few hurling Fitzgibbon during the week. Offaly really only had Oisín Kelly and Eoghan Cahill. And the latter hurled in goal for Mary I yesterday. Which, with the league now played at this time of year, is a plus for Offaly. Albeit a short term one.

You’d expect Offaly to start the same team. A few things need to be tidied up. A few Offaly lads were beaten for pace, got turned and burned too easily. Dublin’s goal should have been cut out much further out the field. And the space afforded to Offaly around the middle third will not be afforded by Limerick. But that’s okay too. That’s part of the challenge.

Offaly will have to be just as competitive in the rucks, scrums and contests as they were in Croke Park. And if they are, well, anything is possible.

Sunday is promised dry. A day for the terrace. And remember you can get your ticket on tickets.ie, or in a Centra or SuperValu for €12 if you buy before midnight Saturday night. Otherwise, it will cost you €15 at the venue.

Best wishes to all involved.

Pat Donegan. Signed out of respect for players and all involved with Offaly.

Do we expect many changes to the team for Sunday? I’d start the same that started against Dublin barring injuries of course. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Shane Dooley start instead of Bergin but can’t imagine much more than that. Aaron Gillane is a lovely hurler and is a massive threat from play and places balls. I think Paddy Delaney must track him, Paddy is a very sticky hurler who is an out and out corner back and perhaps that’s the way it may go. Maybe paddy won’t even get a start. The team will be announced tonight or in the morning so let’s see!!

Kevin Martin, Damien Fox, Aidan Hanrahan and Cathal Murphy have selected their Offaly Panel to play Limerick in the 2nd Round of the Allianz National Hurling League on Sunday 4th Feb at 2pm in Bord na Mona O'Connor Park.